Calderon: Ronaldo likely to stay put

7:22pm Sunday 6th July 2008

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has seemingly conceded defeat in his pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo after admitting "the most likely scenario" is that the winger will stay with Manchester United.

Calderon will meet United chief executive David Gill on Monday, where it is expected the English Premier League side will issue an official 'hands off' warning to Real.

On Sunday the Real president told Spanish newspaper Marca: "At the moment, that's (Ronaldo staying) the most likely scenario. They (United) don't want to sell so we can't do anything."

He added: "He must love Manchester. Once Manchester decide they want to sell and they tell us this, then we will say that we're talking about a transfer.

"But today that's not happening and therefore this is a situation that may end up as it is now, as nothing, and Cristiano Ronaldo will continue at Manchester next year.

True to form, Calderon admitted he held out some hope of bringing Ronaldo to the Spanish capital, adding that there may be time to convince United to change their mind before the August 31 transfer deadline.

"Theoretically there's still time (for things to change)," he continued.

"There are two months left until the end of August if Manchester get in touch with Real Madrid and make us an offer.

"But still we don't know if it would be possible to buy him even if they did want to sell."

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